What are Sengyo Sushi (鮮魚寿司) & Katsugyo (活魚)?

Have you ever heard of Sengyo Sushi (鮮魚寿司)?

For the unfamiliar, Sengyo Sushi generally refers to Nigiri-Zushi consisting of vinegared rice or Shari (しゃり) topped with a slice of Sengyo.

In addition to Sengyo, Katsugyo/活魚 is also rarely prepared in Japan as an ingredient for Sushi and Sashimi.

Sengyo Sushi & Katsugyo

As you can guess by now, Sengyo and Katsugyo are Japanese words for fish, but what is the difference in meaning between the two?

Sengyo (鮮魚)

First, Sengyo/鮮魚 is the Japanese term for fresh dead fish soon after being caught (specifically after the rigor mortis).

And Sengyo Sushi/鮮魚寿司 is generally a Nigiri Zushi/握り寿司 using a slice of Sengyo.

Katsugyo (活魚)

In contrast, Katsugyo/活魚 refers to living fishes (specifically until the rigor mortis).

Usually, Sushi restaurants offering Katsugyo have fish tanks called Ikesu/生簀 on the floor.

(Reference Pages: Wikipedia 活魚, 鮮魚 )